Set at the end of 9.13 Bass Player Wanted.
Greenhouse
"Boys!" Robin calls inside, "Marshall's here!"
Ted and Barney have spent the past twenty minutes skulking in doorway where the bar meets the staircase, talking about anything but Ted moving away. Barney has his hands in his pockets and Ted's been fiddling nervously with the stolen bottle of Glen McKenna. At the sound of Robin's voice, they look up at each other. Something calm and unspoken passes between them, and they both know that they're going to keep quiet; pretend that they're both happy and excited and best buddies like always. Of course, they are happy and excited, and ecstatic that Marshall's finally got to Farhampton- but they'll have to pretend that the tension which followed Ted's revelation tonight hasn't happened. Hopefully nobody will ask why Ted stole a $600 bottle of scotch.
Barney and Ted nod at each other, like they're about to jump out from behind the barrel at Laser Tag. Then they run outside.
On the patio, when Marshall and Lily stop kissing he hands Marvin over to her, and goes to say hello to Robin. Lily gives her son a giant hug, and cleans a bit of dirt off his cheek with her thumb.
Ted and Barney tumble outside onto the patio together and race over to Marshall. Then they're all hugging and jumping and giggling and wrestling, like three little boys who've been allowed to get candy on their own.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Barney asks, outraged, "Didn't I say just get to New York?"
"Yeah, but Marshall went all Minnesota on them, right?" laughs Ted, "How's Mom and Clint?"
"Ugh, fine," says Marshall, rolling his eyes. Ted laughs in agreement, then remembers the baby, and goes over to Lily to say hello to Marvin.
"Hey, buddy. How was staying with your Grandma?" he coos. Marvin's face crinkles into a smile. "Aww," continues Ted, "I bet he's tired. Well you're back with Mommy now, aren't you?"
"Yeah you are," Lily tells her son, giving him a kiss.
"Aww," says Ted again, as Barney pops up beside him.
"Hey, Marv. Who's the second handsomest dude on the patio tonight? That's right, it's you!" he chuckles, tickling the baby's neck. "Where've you been though, bro? Late to Barney Stinson's wedding weekend- that's not on. Ted could have done with a cutie like you to help him score with the ladies at Friday night drinks,"
He throws his arm around Ted's shoulders, "Amirite, Ted?"
"Very funny," retorts Ted, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.
"Hey, Mosby, listen to how we ditched Clint in the woods," calls Marshall. Ted gasps, grins, claps Barney on the back and bounds back over to Marshall. Lily adjusts Marvin's position in her arms slightly. His head falls sleepily against her shoulder.
"Mmm, it's so nice to have him back," says Lily, stroking the baby's back, "We've booked a sitter from the hotel to look after him, so we can all hang out tonight,"
"Awesome," trills Barney, "Now we're all back together,"
By chance, he catches her eye at that moment. She knows within a millisecond that he isn't as awesome as he's pretending.
What's up? Lily asks telepathically.
Ted, he replies simply,Chicago.
Oh. You know why, right?
Yeah. I wish he didn't have to go.
He thinks he does, and he's probably right. The rest of us are getting fresh starts.
He's being hard on himself.
Well, you've been hard on him, Lily points out, giving Barney a pointed look.
He looks away guiltily. Maybe you're right.
"You'll be okay," Lily tells him out loud, giving his elbow a reassuring brush.
"I hope I will," he replies. Seriously, Lil? First year of my marriage without you and Marshall there, and now without Ted?
Perhaps with me and Marshall there, she thinks darkly.
Oh yeah. Team Marshall!
You're a jerk. A jerk who's lucky that Marshall and I are on Pause right now.
He shoots her an evil grin and Lily rolls her eyes, then adds, You'll be fine without Ted, I promise.
He didn't even tell me, Barney whines, grin melting.
You know why that is, she tells him, although in truth Lily considers that perhaps her and Ted's decision not to tell anyone about Chicago until after the wedding was a bad call- especially with Barney. He hates people leaving him; he's terrified of it. And he thinks the world of Ted.
Still hurts. He gives her a surly look.
"Lily, Barney, get over here!" calls Marshall.
"Ted stole a $600 Glen McKenna!" adds Robin.
"Ted! Stole!" emphasises Marshall, "$600!"
Lily looks at Barney.
For me, he admits.
You're kidding!
That's the dream.
See? He does love you.
He gives her a sincere smile, I know. I wish…then he shrugs.
"You'll be okay," Lily repeats. She takes Barney's arm gently and leads him over to the others, who are chatting and laughing, then pops inside the lobby to find the babysitter to hand Marvin to momentarily (he's half-asleep so she isn't really missing quality time with him). When she returns outside, Barney's got his arm around Robin and is laughing, impressed, as Ted brandishes the stolen bottle. Lily hurries back over to Marshall, telling Barney as she goes past, See, you've got Robin. You'll be awesome.
He exhales. "Hope so,".
Thank you for reading. It means a lot that you take the time to look at this little story. Super-grateful for reviews :- )
If you are feeling totally awesome, I'd love it if you R and R'd my new stories, Ground Controland Bottle Tops. Thanks so much!